Alex Wood to debut for Reds in series vs. Rockies

Pitcher made four rehab appearances

Alex Wood will make his season and Cincinnati Reds debut on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies, the Reds announced Thursday.

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Wood, who has been on the injured list all season with a lower back strain, made four rehab appearances with Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. He had a 3.18 ERA in 11 1/3 innings.

Wood made one start in spring training Feb. 25 but then was scratched from his next start because of back pain. He suffered a setback in March, and the Reds announced then he would start the season on the injured list. Manager David Bell expected him back in mid-April at that point.

However, progress for Wood slowed in April and May. He began a throwing program at the spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., in late May.

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“It’s been pretty frustrating,” Wood said in June. “You come to a new place, and you know some of the guys. You’ve played against a lot of the guys over the years. Anytime you’re the new face in the clubhouse, you want to come in and try to have an impact and become friends with the guys. They already know what you can do, but there’s something about getting started with that team and proving and showing you’re here to win games and help this team accomplish everything they want to accomplish. So not being able to do that out of the gate has definitely taken a toll mentally. Those days are a little behind me. I’m looking forward to getting back out there and being able to contribute.”

The Reds start a three-game series against the Rockies on Friday.

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